India approves proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets

The Defence Procurement Board has approved a proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter aircraft, according to a News18 report, citing defence sources on Friday, marking a significant step toward strengthening the Indian Air Force’s combat capabilities.

If cleared at subsequent stages, the acquisition is expected to help bridge the gap between the IAF’s required operational squadron strength and its current shortfall, the sources told News18.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale jets and remains well below its sanctioned squadron strength. The service had recommended the additional procurement as it already has the infrastructure and experience to operate and maintain the Rafale fleet, the sources added.

The proposal also includes integration of Indian weapons systems on the aircraft and includes provisions for the transfer of technology to enable production in India.

The Defence Procurement Board, chaired by the Defence Secretary, examines and clears procurement cases before they are sent to the Defence Acquisition Council for further consideration and approval.

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The sources said the clearance represents a significant milestone in the procurement process, although additional approvals are still needed before the deal can be finalised.

If approved, the acquisition would raise the total number of Rafale fighter jets in India’s defence inventory to 176.

Made-in-India push

In September 2025, the Ministry of Defence began examining a major Indian Air Force proposal to acquire 114 Rafale fighter jets to be manufactured in India.

The project, estimated to be worth more than Rs 2 lakh crore, envisages French defence major Dassault Aviation partnering with Indian aerospace companies.

Defence officials told ANI at the time that the programme would feature over 60 per cent indigenous content and could become the largest defence deal ever signed by the Indian government.

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Officials said the proposal would follow the standard procurement route, first being considered by the Defence Procurement Board before being placed before the Defence Acquisition Council for final approval.

The plan followed praise for the Rafale’s performance during Operation Sindoor, where the aircraft reportedly outperformed Pakistan’s Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles using its advanced Spectra electronic warfare system.

The India-built Rafales are also expected to be equipped with longer-range air-to-ground missiles than the Scalp missile used effectively in recent operations.

With inputs from agencies